Welcome to lifesparklifespark is a non-profit organization founded in 1993 and based in Basel, Switzerland. One of our main goals is to arrange penpalships with inmates on death row in the USA. Other goals are to offer members support, donations and event organization. Currently we have about 300 members worldwide and have connected about 1600 penpalships in the past 25 years. Find out more about who we are.

"I have been alone in my life and ok with that. But now I need this more than anything else in the world: To talk to someone and give all I am to them and for them to agree or disagree. I need you not to feel pity for me but the truth so I can see myself better. I also need to get it out, to tell it as it happened to me and what I thought and felt so someone knows the truth."Mike, on death row for 15 years“My pen friend has accepted me solely on the basis that I’m a human being. Her pictures, letters and friendship bring hope and light to me in this dark, negative and isolated place.”B. Olan, Texas, on death row for 7 years

“To me, the correspondence is a mixture of bitter pills and sweet surrender. In short, a story that only life could come up with.”C. Conrad., lifespark member

“First I worried if my English would be good enough and what I’m going to do if he lies to me or only wants my money. But with his first letter I lost all my fears.”M. Hubert, lifespark member

Explore our websiteCheck our FAQs and experience reports about correspondences with inmates or how to deal with crimes and executions. Read what service we offerto our members and about upcoming events and projectsin lifespark.

For members only:practical information for penpalships (prisions, visists, money etc.) and lifespark’s internal functioning, lifespark’s newsletters, tips for interviews and presentations and much more.